Juan Pablo Montoya forecasts a tough 2025 for Max Verstappen, citing Red Bull’s lack of pace as a critical obstacle.
Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen secured his 2024 title during the early races of the season. According to him, it was primarily due to Mercedes F1’s struggles that the Brackley team’s drivers couldn’t compete.
“The truth is that if you look at the grid, you see eight or even ten good drivers anyway,” Montoya told Marca. “The problem is that you have a big advantage if you start with a car that can win every week and you’re immediately the number one driver.”
“That doesn’t mean the other drivers are bad, because they are actually very good. But it’s like saying Lewis Hamilton doesn’t know how to race anymore and therefore can’t win another title.”
“The issue lies mainly in the fact that Mercedes is not as fast as Red Bull. Red Bull struggled in the final races, but it’s not like Verstappen forgot how to drive. He proved that in Brazil.”
The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner expects a very challenging 2025 for Red Bull and even believes the team, which just won four consecutive drivers’ titles, will not be in contention for the world championship.
“For Verstappen, next season will be very difficult. If Red Bull can’t suddenly make a big step, it will be really hard for him to become champion with the car he currently has. They simply don’t have the speed they need. I don’t see him as a favorite.”
“If you look at the final Formula 1 races of last year, it’s impossible to consider him a favorite. We need to wait and see what Red Bull comes up with first, but I’d say the title fight next year will be between McLaren and Ferrari. I think Mercedes is even more likely than Red Bull.”
- Discover More>Stephen Lord: Hamilton’s Ferrari Switch “No Surprise at All
- Follow us on >Facebook and >Twitter for F1 updates
Verstappen’s 2025 Prospects Dim – Montoya Suggests Verstappen’s 2025 Prospects Dim – Montoya Suggests
